( Visitor Centre continued) Family fun days [B-C3] King’s Meads [D2] Parks, woodland & nature reserves are also organised particularly to engage children who This pleasant area of parkland is situated adjacent Managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust & Ware can loan a special ‘explorers pack’ when they visit. Amwell Nature Reserve [G3] to Hartham Leisure Centre. Walks lead across the this is the largest area of grazed riverside meadow in Only moments from the towpath, the common and into the wooded area known as The . The rivers and ditches which criss-cross Get out nature reserve is a mecca for local wildlife after being Warren. Besides the tennis courts, football pitches the site traditionally fl ooded the fl at land; but because Activity Map transformed from its former use as a quarry. Managed and children’s play area there is also a trim trail and of falling water levels this now happens less often. & Marsh [A-B2] and explore by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust the site is swimming pool to keep you fi t! A skate park has also This combination of ditches, fl oodwater and regular The marsh provides a great place for a stroll along the renowned for populations of waterfowl, breeding birds, recently opened. grazing has created a rich wetland habitat that is which you share with grazing cattle and dragonfl ies and damselfl ies. Although public access becoming very rare in Britain. passing trains on the Hertford North branch. There is an open space into the reserve is limited, spectacular views across the The heath was developed into a community nature site including the lakes can be gained from the public within walking distance [E4] park in the mid nineties once the former sand and hide by Great Hardmead Lake. Access the hide from the Managed by the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust the Postwood [E3] gravel workings closed down. A number of footpaths of almost every home and towpath or Amwell Lane. rare, damp heathland of Hertford Heath (and its pools) Just a short walk from Ware town centre and railway cross the heath which can be accessed from attracts newts, dragonfl ies and damselfl ies. Nuthatch, station is Post Wood. Ideal for a short woodland walk, Road, Bullsmill Lane, Vicarage Lane by car are from offi ce in Hertford and Ware tree-creeper, all three species of woodpecker and a circular route is waymarked by wooden posts with Waterford Marsh on foot by following paths under the and many more are just a [D5] birds of prey are found in the woods. In spring white bands. This can be accessed by car from the car railway line. Balls Wood has mature hornbeam coppice, ash and maple fl owers appear in the wooded areas and in summer park in Walnut Tree Walk or from the town centre and The heath harbours a unique yet wide variety of plants short trip away. and some conifers. The woodland rides attract butterfl ies – the rides are alive with butterfl ies and spring fl owers. station via Road and Postwood Road. and animals. A diverse range of plants thrive in the including the white admiral. Bluebell and wood anemone Hertford Heath is designated as a Site of Special This ancient woodland has been in existence since gravely soil including Viper’s Bugloss and the Carline burst out in the spring, whilst fl ocks of tits and fi nches Scientifi c Interest (SSSI). Heather is a scarce plant at least 1600 AD. Oak, hornbeam and holly trees Thistle. Many species of butterfl y live here. You may This map covers the main can be enjoyed in winter. In autumn, the different types of in Hertfordshire these days, so to enjoy specatular predominate as do birds and wildlife including the also spot willow warblers and sky larks in the Spring. wood bring forth a wonderful array of fungi. displays of heather, visit the reserve in the late nuthatch, treecreeper and greater spotted woodpecker. urban areas and the summer to autumn. Visit during April and May and see a rich blue carpet surrounding countryside. of Bluebells. There are loads of open spaces to discover, cycle Amwell Nature Reserve Hertford Heath Priory Park & Lido [E2] The largest of all the parks in Ware can be found in the tracks to ride and parks grounds of The Priory. This park has a children’s play area with equipment for all ages and a refreshment to play in. So get outside, kiosk (from May to September inclusive). There is a also a basketball court and putting green. Next to the breathe in the fresh air and park is the heated outdoor pool open everyday from May to September. – all this within a one minute walk take a bit of gentle exercise. of the High Street. Rye Meads Visitor Centre Whether you want to fi nd a Waterford Marsh new route to get to work or Rye Meads Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre [G5] Only a few minutes walk from Rye House railway school, walk the dog, cycle, station, this reserve is jointly managed by the RSPB and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Visit the hides to have a family picnic, grab see many different varieties of bird life. In the Summer where to walk, cycle months, amongst other species you will see common a sandwich away from the & have fun outdoors in: terns nesting and the breeding site of kingfi shers. Explore the lakes and trails, see water buffalo grazing offi ce or kick a ball around, Hertford, Ware, Waterford, , and learn more in the visitor centre. Look out over use this guide to explore , Hertford Heath, marsh, reed bed and water meadow. Entrance is free all year round and there are many special events and enjoy the local area. Great Amwell, Hailey which you can attend. (continues) Balls Wood Kings Meads

Other leaflets Major walking & cycling trails Museums Other places of interest & Cole Green Way [A4-B3] [B3] St Leonard’s Church Bengeo [C3] Hertford to Ware towpath: The old branch line that linked with the East Coast Set in the heart of the town, the museum is located Claims to be the oldest building in Hertford and is a Covers the 10 mile walking and cycling Main line at was closed in 1966 as part of in the old market area of Bull Plain in an early 17th fi ne example of Norman architecture with an unusual route between , the Beeching cuts. The Victorian brick bridges and the century town house. It is enhanced by a charming wooden spire. The simple interior includes a Norman Hertford and Ware town centres. An platform at Cole Green remain as the only reminders recreated ‘Jacobean’ Knot garden of intertwined font, a 13th Century wall painting and an Anchorite’s old railway line, canal towpaths, open of its past. hedges of box and lavender. Displays depict Hertford’s cell where a religious recluse once lived. spaces and quiet roads create a green Today it provides a pleasant, fl at and traffi c-free historic past as a royal borough, market for a large [E2] route which also forms part of the route from Hertford to Welwyn Garden City. In recent rural population and . St Mary’s Church Ware The church has stood in the High Street for over 1,000 National Cycle Network. years the path has been integrated into the National There is a changing programme of temporary years being built in 1078. In 1380 it was rebuilt and the Cycle Network and provides a well signed cycle exhibitions. Free entry. The museum will close on 24 Priory built. A little further afield… link between both town centres. The 7 mile ride can December 2008 for major redevelopment and will re- Walking & Cycling The Ayots usually be cycled in less than an hour without all the open in early 2010. Jacob’s Island [C2] The recently upgraded Ayot worries of traffi c congestion. It makes a great route for This natural island has recently been managed as an links the centres of Welwyn Garden City both leisure and work journeys between Welwyn and otter habitat. It is one of the most important sites in Hertford. and along the old Ware Museum [E2] Hertfordshire for otters, following reintroduction on railway line to . Traffi c-free, apart Why not use the Cole Green Way as part of a circular Occupying the Priory Lodge, the museum has a the Rivers Lea and Stort in 1991. from a small section in Ayot Green the walk into the countryside? Refreshment is available en permanent display on “The Story of Ware,” including trail also criss-crosses many footpaths route at The Cowper Arms at Cole Green. For cyclists archaeology. Temporary exhibitions, changing every [B4] to the villages of and Ayot who would like to go further afi eld you can link into two months, feature many aspects of the town’s life, The building often referred to as Hertford Castle is in St Lawrence. the Great North Way and in Welwyn such as arts and crafts, buildings, malting and other fact the gatehouse. The castle itself no longer stands Garden City. Pick up a Cole Green Way leafl et for more but occupied the enclosed area behind the gatehouse. industries. Contact the museum for opening times. details. Free entry. For 300 years a Royal Palace stood within the fl int Traffi c-free all the way from Hatfi eld to walls having previously been one of a series of castles , the Alban Way is accessible built for defence purposes. There is plenty of seating for pedestrians and cyclists alike. in the pleasant castle grounds. Starting near Hatfi eld and St Albans Hertford to Ware towpath [B3-E2] Scott’s Grotto [E2] Abbey Stations the trail links with The quiet route next to the River Lea is part of the The grotto was built by John Scott between 1761 Farm [C1] , Fleetville and The Galleria National Cycle Network and provides a hassle free and 1763 consisting of underground passages Set in picturesque surroundings over looking the Rib shopping centre. way of travelling between Hertford and Ware, avoiding and chambers decorated with shells and stones. Valley, take one of the farm walks, play a round of golf the busy A119 Ware Road. Enjoy the views across Construction of such buildings was fashionable in the or bring your bike and pedal one of the cycle tracks. the valley and the wildlife along the riverside. For 18th century but may have been built to provide a cool If you prefer a slower pace you could try a spot of The above leaflets along with a those that wish to extend their journey the towpath quiet place away from the house. fi shing or visit the shops on site. continues on through into London. number of others in the series The Ware Society restored the grotto in 1990 and it Hartham Common Hertford East Herts Miniature Railway [F4] can be downloaded or ordered was formally re-opened in 1991. It is open on Saturday Waterford Heath Located at the Van Hague Garden Centre in Great afternoons and Bank Holiday Mondays between free of charge at: Amwell, the railway is open to the public at weekends Facilities KEY [D3-G5] April and September, 2 – 4:30pm. Admission is free, Path and on designated school holidays throughout the www.hertsdirect.org/walkingandcycling The New River is neither new nor a river. It is a water although donations are welcome. Parking Nature Reserve year. supply aqueduct. completed in 1613, to bring drinking water from Hertfordshire to . A way Wheelchair Access Leafl et Available marked path has been created linking the inner city Useful links Hertford Museum Cycle Paths Information Panel of London with Hertfordshire’s open countryside via Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts the following where possible the route of Seating Bridleway the aqueduct. Its total length between Hertford and – www.leevalleypark.org.uk is 28 miles. The section in Hertfordshire Hertford – www.hertford.net Children’s Play Area Picnic Area contributes to half of the path at 14 miles. Ware – www.wareonline.co.uk Hertford Heath – www.hertfordheath.com Footpaths Toilets This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Offi ce. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may East Herts Countryside lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hertfordshire County Council, 100019606 2008. Waymarked Footpaths Cafe Cartography, leafl et design by Stephen Wragg - Wragg Art House: www.wah.co.uk www.eastherts.gov.uk/countryside v1.0 © WAH 9/2008 B C D E F G A119

Rd Flowersash Westmill Farm Wood Artshed, Nursery Westmill Rd A10(T) Pitch and putt golf course, A1170 B158 Fishing Lakes Restaurant Sacombe

River Beane Wodson Park Bardon Sports & 1 Clumps Recreation Centre 1

River Rib High Rd A602 Poles La. Fanhams Hall Rd Ware

Wadesmill Rd Bramfield Lane A10(T) Tower Vicarage La. Road Watton Road

Waterford Heath Croft Road High Oak Road Waterford Musley Hill Waterford Waterford Heath Marsh B1004 Cozens Road Harris’s Lane Musley Park Rd Ware River Beane Fanshaw Pool & Gym Lane

Sacombe A1170 St Mary’s Church Road 2 Park Road Ware 2 Road Priory High Street New Rd Bowling Road Ware Towpath Star Street King’s Meads Ware Lido PrioryMuseum Park B1004 HertfordLady’s - Mead River Ash A119 Watermill La. Hertford Road Hollycross Rd Wildbury Hill King’s Meads A119 Broadoak Jacob’s Ware Island River Lea End Scott’s Canal Grotto A119 A10(T)Chadwell Mead River Park Mead Hoe Lane A1170 New RoadSt Leonard’s Scott’s Grotto Bengeo Church

Bramfield Road Molewood Ware Road New River Path North Road

Bengeo Street

Tudor Drive Road Hartham 3 Way Common 3 Hartham Cromwell Road London Road Windsor Leisure Centre Mead Lane Post Wood B1000 Tamworth Road Farm Stanstead Lower Road A119 B1502 Amwell Nature Reserve Close Port Vale Hertford East Road Port Hill Quaker Welwyn Road Cow Bridge House A10(T) North Road Hertford North Caxton Hill A414 B1502 Ware Road Hertford Amwell Museum Fore St Hertford Rush Green Nature Reserve Hertford Amwell Road Castle Lane London Road Tate Gascoyne Way Cappell Lane

A414 Hertingfordbury John Van Hage Great Amwell Road Garden Centre & Hertford minature railway B1197

Downfield

Hertingfordbury Horns Mill Rd Amwell Lane Pegs Lane Pegs

Pepper Hill 4 St Mary’s Lane St Margarets 4 Gypsy High Street Lane Cole Green Way Bullocks Lane Stanstead Rd Stanstead Way Mangrove Lane Abbotts Cole Green B181

Pleasant A10(T) A414

Cole Green Way - NCN Route 61 Mt. A10 A1170 to Welwyn Garden City

Balls Wood ByBBkhA1170y cacararrtr taktataket kek the A1170 Hertford Heath towardsowardso ardd HHoHoddesdon,do , thethenen Parks, Woodland Ware Rd Campsite River / Lake Footpath turnurnu leleftft inintontto Middlefiiddl fild eeld & Nature Reserve (route normally marked by signs and waymarks with a yellow arrow) Road.o . CoContinueConC nttin dowdownwn London Road Goldings Wood RyeRyye RoadRoa Rooad papastpast Rye Housuse Playing Field Cycle Shop Cycle Routes (traffic free) Bridleway StationS andd oveooverr ththe cannal. (route normally marked by signs Hailey Wood and waymarks with a blue arrow) Fromm ththe stationtioion it iis abbout River Lea a 10 minute wwalk.allk. Major Trails (Walking & Cycling) Tourist Information Cycle Routes (on road) Bridleway & Byway open to all traffic (route normally marked by signs and waymarks Rye Meads Nature Reserve Lower Hatfield Rd with a red arrow) A414 National Cycle Hertford Heath Hailey St Margaret’s Road and Visitor Centre Museum Open Access Land Lane Minor Road, Track Wood Network - Route 61 (roads used as a public path route New River Path normally marked by signs and 5 Cycle routes recommended waymarks with a black arrow) Lea Valley Walk 5 Swimming Pool Park Road by local cyclists Other footpaths NCN Route 61 Balls to London Wood Bridle Children’s Play Area Field Motorway way (North) Bridleway

Key Stanstead Railway Station / Line Residential / Commercial Main Road 1 kilometre Rye

B1197 A1170 1 mile A10(T) House A B C D E F G